Carnet De Bal (dance Card Holder) -

A nineteenth-century French solid gold enamel binding containing five bone leaves. First appearing around 1820, the carnets de bal were used to record the order of an evening's dances, as well as the name of the partner for a particular dance. This opulent example is decorated with a leaf border; four diamonds at the borders; and large polychrome enamel plaques in the center of each cover, the plaque on the top cover showing a pedestal topped by urns and with flowers at its base, the back cover plaque bearing the initials AM in a leafy script. Also includes the original gold-sheathed pencil topped with a rose-cut diamond. The pencil slides into six gold rings attached to the binding's fore-edges, to serve as a fastener. This is the most beautiful carnet de bal we have encountered, an extraordinary bejewelled example. (2 15/16 by 1 7/8; 75x49mm.).